For Hospice Mid Canterbury clients, Christmas is set to get a little cheerier. This is thanks to the generosity of seven Lions International Clubs in Mid Canterbury, who have given 90 of their Christmas cakes to the charity.
Lion Mark Cressey said that families under hospice had enough to deal with at Christmas, so did not need to be thinking about making a Christmas cake.
The seven clubs – Hinds, Rakaia, Ashburton, County, Pakeke, Methven and Mayfield – come under Zone 1.
Zone 1 chair Rab McDowell said they knew hospice was collecting baking to go in Christmas goodie bags, so the clubs’ members thought that they could provide the cakes.
‘‘We hope the cakes take a bit of pressure off families,’’ McDowell said.
The Hinds Lions coordinated the project in collaboration with the others, who were happy to help with purchasing of the cakes.
‘‘It’s been good for all the clubs to work together on a project and a local one to support our community,’’ Cressey said.
Hospice manager Nicole Williams said they appreciated the cakes, as along with baking their volunteers had made, they could pass on the Christmas goodies to clients and families.
‘‘These gifts of baking mean clients can focus on what’s important and not have to worry about what is in the pantry if they have visitors,’’ Williams said.
The Lions Christmas cakes began in 1971 and are a national fundraiser for the organisation. Originally baked by Ernest Adams, they are made to a special recipe, which is now done by Goodman Fielder.
All 30,000 cakes that were baked this year have been sold, showing their popularity and good value.
Funds raised from the sale of the cakes go to Lions Clubs New Zealand Child Mobility Foundation (CMF) which supports children who suffer from cerebral palsy, spina bifida or similar disabilities.
